With drop-back passer Dwayne Haskins Jr. expected to replace Barrett at quarterback, Ohio State might be less efficient because Urban Meyer can’t just plunge his quarterback into the line on every third-and-1, but Haskins’ arm strength could lead to more explosive gains.

That may show up most on passing downs when the windows to throw are smaller and extra zip on the fastball can really come in handy.

4. Urban Meyer might want to work on his halftime speeches.

Most coaches will tell you halftime adjustments are at least somewhat mythical, but the numbers show the Buckeyes were better on both sides of the ball before intermission last season.

The offense was fourth in the country in the first and second quarters but dropped to 12th and 10th, respectively in the fourth (so not bad, mind you, but still not as good).

The difference was larger for the defense, but it was also confined to the third quarter. The Silver Bullets were fourth in the country in defensive S&P+ in the first and second quarters and fifth in the fourth quarter but only 21st in the third.

5. There’s an obvious way the defense could be even better than last season.

Ohio State had the No. 8 defense in the country last season according to S&P+, and that started close to the line of scrimmage.

The front four was as dominant to the numbers as it was to the eye, ranking first in the nation in “havoc rate” (a proprietary state measuring the percentage of plays in which a team either recorded a tackle for loss, forced a fumble, or defended a pass) from a defensive line.